Method and apparatus for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to automatically retrieve, service, and launch an aircraft. For retrieval, the aircraft drops a weighted cable, and pulls it at low relative speed into a broad aperture of the apparatus. In certain instances, the cable is dragged along guiding surfaces of the apparatus into and through a slot until its free end is captured. The aircraft becomes anchored to the apparatus, and is pulled downward by the cable into a receptacle. Guiding surfaces of the receptacle adjust the position and orientation of a probe on the aircraft, directing the probe to mate with a docking fixture of the apparatus. Once mated, the aircraft is automatically shut down and serviced. When desired, the aircraft is automatically started and tested in preparation for launch, and then released into free flight. A full ground-handling cycle is thus accomplished with a simple, economical apparatus.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/702,935, filed on Feb.9, 2010, which is a non-provisional of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/152,076, filed onFeb. 12, 2009, the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to the following commonly-ownedco-pending patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/717,147, filed on Dec. 17, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/037,436, filed on Mar. 1, 2011, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/527,177, filed on Jun. 19, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention addresses launch, retrieval, and servicing of ahovering aircraft, especially in turbulent winds or onto anirregularly-moving surface, such as the deck of a ship in a rough sea.Various embodiments of the present invention are especially suited tounmanned aircraft of small size. These embodiments allow for a fullyautomated operations cycle, whereby the aircraft can be repeatedlylaunched, retrieved, serviced, and re-launched, without manualintervention at any point, and while requiring only modest accuracy inpiloting.

2. Description of Problem

Hovering aircraft, be they helicopters, thrust-vectoring jets,“tail-sitters”, or other types, usually land by gently descending infree thrust-borne flight onto a landing surface, coming to rest on anundercarriage of wheels, skids, or legs. This elementary technique canbe problematic in certain situations, such as when targeting a small,windswept landing pad on a ship moving in a rough sea. Decades ago, theBeartrap or RAST system was developed to permit retrieval withacceptable safety in such conditions. Retrieval with this systeminvolves securing a line between a helicopter and landing deck, and thenwinching the helicopter down onto a trolley. The helicopter is fastenedto the trolley. After retrieval, the trolley is used to move thehelicopter along the deck. The system is effective and widely used, butrequires an expensive and substantial plant in the landing area, as wellas manual operations coordinated between helicopter and shipboard crew.Furthermore, the helicopter must carry a complete undercarriage inaddition to the necessary Beartrap components.

Desirable improvements relative to the Beartrap system include (a)simplification of the apparatus, and (b) automated rather than manualoperation. Ideally not only would retrieval but also subsequentrefueling and launch would be automated. This would be particularlydesirable for an unmanned aircraft, whose operations cycle could then bemade fully autonomous. Some experimental work toward this objective hasbeen done for a hovering aircraft, as described in the publication byMullens et al. titled, “Automated Launch, Recovery, and Refueling forSmall Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (2004); however, success has beenlimited even with light wind and a stationary base. The presentinvention by contrast provides for fully automated operation in calm orrough conditions, using apparatus which is simple, portable, andsuitable for a small vessel or similarly confined base.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, an aircraftwould proceed automatically from free thrust-borne flight to retrievalto launch through the following sequence of actions:

-   -   (a) while approaching a base at low relative speed, the aircraft        drops a weighted cable;    -   (b) the aircraft then flies over a retrieval apparatus, which        brings the cable into an aperture of cable guides, which in one        embodiment forms the shape of a V in the horizontal or        substantially horizontal plane;    -   (c) further translation pulls the cable into and through a slot        at the terminus of the cable guides, which captures the cable;    -   (d) the aircraft is then anchored;    -   (e) if the cable is not captured, the aircraft can climb away        and return for another approach;    -   (f) the aircraft, recognizing capture of the cable by an        increase in tension, winches-in the cable and so draws itself        into a docking receptacle, such as, in one embodiment, a        funnel-like receptacle at the vertex of the cable guides;    -   (g) as the aircraft is drawn into the docking receptacle,        guiding surfaces align and ultimately mate the aircraft with one        or more connectors for docking and servicing;    -   (h) the cable is released from the retrieval apparatus, and        retracted by the aircraft;    -   (i) the aircraft is shut-down, refueled and otherwise serviced        as necessary through one or more suitable connectors;    -   j) the aircraft completes launch preparations, and develops        sufficient thrust to accelerate away from the retrieval        apparatus when released; and    -   (k) the aircraft is released into thrust-borne free flight.

Since loads can be low during retrieval from hover, the apparatus can belight and portable. Furthermore, easy targeting makes the techniquewell-suited for both manual control and economical automation.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus of various embodiments ofthe present invention include an aircraft docking assembly attached toan aircraft, a base retrieval apparatus attached to a stationary ormovable base, and the combination of these configured so as toaccomplish the methods of the present invention.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and wall beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D are a series of diagrammatic rear-quarterperspective views of an embodiment of the present invention for ahelicopter, illustrating an aircraft docking assembly attached to thehelicopter, a base retrieval apparatus or servicing station, and thehelicopter sequentially entering, capturing, docked in, and launchingfrom the base retrieval apparatus or servicing station.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially fragmentary perspective view of a thebase retrieval apparatus or servicing station for capturing, docking,servicing, and launching a helicopter.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are a series of diagrammatic rear-quarterperspective views of an embodiment of the present invention for ahovering “tail-sitter” aircraft, illustrating an aircraft dockingassembly attached to the aircraft, a base retrieval apparatus orservicing station, and the aircraft sequentially entering, capturing,docked in, and launching from the base retrieval apparatus or servicingstation.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a representative docking probemounted in the tail of a “tail-sitter” aircraft of one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a representative aircraft as in FIG. 4being pulled into a docking receptacle of the base retrieval apparatusof one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are a series of diagrammatic rear-quarterperspective views of an embodiment of the present invention for ahovering aircraft, illustrating a possible downwind retrieval and launchsequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed toapparatus and methods for retrieving a flying object or an aircraft fromsubstantially thrust-borne free flight. In one embodiment, the apparatusincludes an aircraft docking assembly for a helicopter and a baseretrieval apparatus attachable to a stationary or movable base. Inanother embodiment, the apparatus includes an aircraft docking assemblyfor an aircraft configured for efficient wing-borne flight and a baseretrieval apparatus attachable to a stationary or movable base. Itshould be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments illustrated in the figures and described below, and that inalternative embodiments, the shape, size, configuration and/orarrangement of one or more of the various components described below mayvary. It should also be appreciated that the present invention need notinclude each and every of the components in the embodiments illustratedin the figures and described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 2, one embodiment of theaircraft docking assembly and base retrieval apparatus for a helicopterare generally illustrated. The base retrieval apparatus includes a basestation 5 having a base fuel tank 12 and a base member 33 extendingupwardly from the base fuel tank 12. The base station 5 may include anazimuthal pivot 21, as described below. In the illustrated embodiment,the base station 5 also includes support member 34 connected to the basemember 33 for supporting a base docking device, fixture or probereceiver 11. A guide, funnel, or funnel like docking receptacle 9 isattached to, and extends upwardly from, the base docking device, fixtureor probe receiver 11. The guide, funnel, or funnel like dockingreceptacle 9 includes guiding surfaces. The guide, funnel, or funnellike docking receptacle 9 has or defines a slot 10 configured to admit acable 2, as discussed below. The support member 34 includes outwardlyextending arms 4. The arms 4 extend outwardly defining an angle. A slot6 is defined or placed near the vertex of the arms 4. Aerodynamicsurfaces or members 22 may be respectively attached to the arms 4.

In one of the illustrated embodiments, the aircraft docking assembly isattached to the helicopter and includes a cable 2, a cable point orfixture such as a cable end fitting 3, a cable length reducer such as awinch 7, and an aircraft docking device or fixture such as a probe 8.The probe includes guiding surfaces and is substantially cylindricallyshaped in one embodiment. The probe 8 is attached to the helicopter andextends beyond the skids 26 of the helicopter. At least a portion of thecable 2 is configured to be wound around a drum of the winch 7. Inanother embodiment, the winch 7 is attached to the base retrievalapparatus as described below.

More specifically, FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D show an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, as used with the helicopter 1 ofconventional layout. In preparation for retrieval, the helicopter 1deploys the lightweight cable 2 weighted by the cable end fitting 3, anddrags it between the arms 4 of the base station 5. If the helicopter'spath falls within a capture envelope—determined by, primarily, thelength la, vertex angle ψa, and droop angle εa of the arms, and thelength lc of the cable (and associated height of the servicingapparatus)—then the cable is guided into a cable holder configured tohold the cable 2 (through the slot 6 located at the vertex of the arms 4as shown in FIG. 2). The helicopter pulls the cable through the slot 6until further motion is restrained by the cable end fitting 3. The cableend fitting thus anchors the helicopter. In various embodiments, thecable end fitting, cable, or slot may be made compliant to limit shockloading. If the helicopter's path is such that the cable misses the armsentirely, or is pulled over an arm before reaching the slot 6, then thehelicopter simply continues in free flight, and can return for anotherapproach.

Once the helicopter is anchored it can increase thrust, and the cablewill tend to stay nearly vertical despite disturbances. The helicopter'sposition can also be regulated by appropriate control, for example ofrotor thrust and in-plane moments.

The constraint imposed by the anchored cable can be recognized by thehelicopter, and used to trigger the next retrieval step. This involvespulling the helicopter downward toward the base docking device, fixtureor probe receiver 11, for example by activating a winch 7 on thehelicopter or on the base station. In one embodiment, this causes theprobe 8 on the helicopter to enter, and to be guided to the base of, theguide, funnel, or funnel like docking receptacle 9 on the base station.In one embodiment, the funnel incorporates a cable aperture such as aslot 10 to admit the cable, and thus allow for close placement of thecable and probe on the helicopter. The guide, funnel, or funnel likedocking receptacle 9 guides the probe 8 to mate or match firmly with thebase docking device, fixture or probe receiver 11, thus completing theretrieval. Mating or matching can be detected by a suitable sensor inthe probe or in the base docking device, fixture or probe receiver 11.

Once retrieval is complete, the cable can be released from the captureslot, and optionally retracted into the helicopter. The helicopter'sengine can be stopped. Servicing, such as provision of electrical power,refueling from a base supply, and weighing of the aircraft, can beeffected through one or more suitable connectors and sensors in theprobe 8 and base docking device, fixture or probe receiver 11. Thehelicopter can remain docked until such time as launch is desired. Theseconnectors can be configured to automatically transfer fluids and/orelectricity to the aircraft.

For launch, appropriate self-testing can be completed, and thehelicopter then run-up. Release into free flight should be permittedonly when thrust is sufficient for positive separation. This conditioncan be enforced by various ways, such as an appropriately largebreak-out force in the docking fixture, or a suitable combination ofthrust measurement and active triggering of an unlocking device (notshown). The aircraft would extract the cable from the docking fixturethrough the slot 10 and could then winch it onboard.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, oneembodiment of an docking assembly and base retrieval apparatus for anaircraft configured for efficient wing-borne flight is generallyillustrated. The aircraft includes a fixed wing 17, a propellor 18, afuselage 31, and an empennage 20. The empennage 20 includes verticalstabilizer 27 and horizontal stabilizers 28. The aircraft dockingassembly includes cable 2, cable end fitting 3, aircraft docking deviceor fixture such as a probe 8, and winch 7. In another embodiment, thewinch 7 is attached to the base retrieval apparatus as described below.The probe 8 may include fuel and electrical connectors 13 located at anend portion of the probe 8. A cable guide 32 may be included to guidethe cable as it is wound from the drum of the winch 7. In theillustrated embodiment, such a cable guide 32 is formed in the shape ofa funnel.

The illustrated base retrieval apparatus for an aircraft configured forefficient wing-borne flight includes base station 5 having a base fueltank 12 and a base member 33 extending upwardly from the base fuel tank12. The base station 5 also includes support member 34 connected to thebase member 33 for supporting a base docking device, fixture or probereceiver 11. The guide, funnel, or funnel like docking receptacle 9 isreplaced by guide or docking receptacle 19, having edges 35 that serveto admit and orient the empennage surfaces 27 and 28 of the aircraft asit is pulled into base docking device, fixture or probe receiver 11, asdiscussed below. The support member 34 includes arms 4. The arms 4extend outwardly defining an angle. A slot 6 is defined or placed nearthe vertex of the arms 4. Aerodynamic surfaces or members 22 may berespectively attached to a portion of the arms 4. In one embodiment, thebase station 5 may include an azimuthal pivot 21, as described below.

FIG. 3 shows the aircraft 16 having a configuration suited to efficientwing-borne flight. A propeller 18 is installed at its nose, with thepropeller's spin axis aligned with the fuselage 31. The winch 7 andprobe 8, which are comparable to those in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D andFIG. 2, are mounted at the rear of the fuselage 31, as shown in moredetail by FIG. 4 and described above. To prepare for retrieval, theaircraft pitches up from wing-borne flight, with its thrust line nearhorizontal, into thrust-borne flight, with its thrust line nearvertical. Rotor thrust is adjusted to balance aircraft weight. The cable2 is then deployed, and retrieval proceeds much as was described for thehelicopter of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and FIG. 2. In this case, however,the guide or docking receptacle 9 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and FIG. 2is replaced by a guide or docking receptacle 19 in the form of a set ofpetals whose edges 35 serve to admit and orient the empennage surfaces27 and 28 of the aircraft as its probe 8 is pulled into the base dockingdevice, fixture or probe receiver 11, as illustrated by FIG. 5. Thus,the combination of an appropriately long cable 2, appropriately openarms 4, and appropriately shaped petals, permits successful retrievalacross a wide range of aircraft approach paths and orientations. Afterretrieval, the aircraft can be serviced and re-launched much as wasdescribed for the helicopter of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and FIG. 2.

For automated retrieval, the aircraft and base retrieval apparatus eachcan be equipped with a suitable device for measuring relative positionand velocity in three dimensions, such as satellite-navigation equipmenthaving antennas on the aircraft 14 and on a reference point such aspoint 15 near the base docking device, fixture or probe receiver 11. Inan embodiment, each of the aircraft and base retrieval apparatus canalso have equipment for measurement of orientation, such as magnetic orinertial sensors, as well as appropriate mechanisms for computation,power supply, and communication.

Communication between the aircraft and base retrieval apparatus can alsobe used, for example, to trigger the base retrieval apparatus to releasethe cable in the event of an anomaly, such as an excessive mismatch inposition or orientation as the aircraft is pulled toward the basedocking device, fixture or probe receiver 11. In that case, the aircraftwould fly clear of the base station and could return for anotherapproach.

In many cases, the preferred approach direction will vary with windvelocity. This can be accommodated by providing a base retrievalapparatus including a base station mounted on the azimuthal pivot 21 (asshown in FIG. 2). The base support member 34 could then be oriented orrotated by a suitable actuator on the pivot, or by the weathervaneaction of the suitably placed aerodynamic surfaces or members 22.

In light to moderate wind, the preferred approach direction wouldtypically be upwind. However, if the wind speed V_(W) were to exceed themaximum airspeed V_(A,max) at which an aircraft such as that shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D could sustain level thrust-borne flight, then anupwind approach would be possible only while descending. For an approachin level flight, the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6Dwould be used instead. In this case, the aircraft would fly into thewind at a designated airspeed V_(A), while drifting downwind toward thebase station at speed (V_(W)−V_(A)). Capture of the cable would proceedas described for FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D;however, once anchored, the aircraft would not be able to hoververtically above the base docking receptacle. Instead, the aircraftcould hover, and so maintain line tension, only in a downwind kite-likeposition as shown in FIG. 6B.

To accommodate this situation, the base docking device, fixture or probereceiver and the guide or docking receptacle may be mounted on a gimbal23 so that the axis of the funnel can align with the cable, as shown inFIG. 6B. The gimbal could be set as desired after the aircraft mated tothe base docking device, fixture or probe receiver, typically tothrust-vertical orientation. The torque necessary thus to orient thegimbal can be provided by the aircraft itself, or by an actuator on thebase station. Once set at the desired orientation, the gimbal can belocked in place by an appropriate mechanism.

For launch in a strong wind, a downwind gimbal tilt may likewise benecessary for the aircraft to accelerate out of the base docking device,fixture or probe receiver upon release. In preparation for such adownwind launch, the gimbal can be unlocked and tilted as appropriate.The aircraft can then pull itself out of the base docking device,fixture or probe receiver as shown in FIG. 6C. Once clear, the aircraftcould reorient if desired to reduce the downwind drift rate, as shown inFIG. 6D. An anemometer 24 on the base station can be used to select theappropriate orientation for launch.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. An apparatus for retrieving aflying object from free flight, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base;(b) two spaced-apart upwardly extending members supported by the baseand defining a slot therebetween configured to receive a memberconnected to a body of the flying object; and (c) a docking stationsupported by the base and configured to receive part of the flyingobject after the member connected to the body of the flying object isreceived in the slot and the flying object is translated relative to thebase toward the docking station.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe two upwardly extending members are configured to define the slotsuch that the slot is configured to receive the member in the form of astring.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking stationincludes at least one locking device configured to secure the flyingobject.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes at least oneconnector configured to service the flying object.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, which is configured to automatically service the flying objectusing the at least one connector.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe docking station includes at least one launch orienting deviceconfigured to facilitate launch of the flying object.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein each of the members supported by the base ispetal-shaped.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, which includes a measuringdevice configured to measure a three-dimensional position of the flyingobject relative to the apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whichincludes a measuring device configured to measure an orientation of theflying object relative to the apparatus.
 10. An apparatus for retrievinga flying object from free flight, said apparatus comprising: (a) a base;(b) a plurality of spaced-apart upwardly extending members supported bythe base and defining a plurality of different sets of slots, whereineach set of slots is configured to receive a wing connected to a body ofthe flying object; and (c) a docking station supported by the base andconfigured to receive the flying object.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the docking station includes at least one locking deviceconfigured to secure the flying object.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10,which includes at least one connector configured to service the flyingobject.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, which is configured toautomatically service the flying object using the at least oneconnector.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the docking stationincludes at least one launch orienting device configured to facilitatelaunch of the flying object.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein eachof the members is petal-shaped.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, whichincludes a measuring device configured to measure a three-dimensionalposition of the flying object relative to the apparatus.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 10, which includes a measuring device configured tomeasure an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus.18. An apparatus retrieving a flying object from free flight, saidapparatus comprising: (a) a base; (b) two spaced-apart arcs extendingtransversely from the base and defining a slot therebetween configuredto receive a member connected to a body of the flying object; (c) twomembers extending transversely from the arms; and (d) a docking stationsupported by the base and configured to receive part of the flyingobject after the member connected to the body of flying object isreceived in the slot and the flying object is translated relative to thebase toward the docking station.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe two arms are configured to define the slot such that the slot isconfigured to receive the member in the form of a string.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the docking station includes at least onelocking device configured to secure the flying object.
 21. The apparatusof claim 18, which includes at least one connector configured to servicethe flying object.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, which is configured toautomatically service the flying object using the at least oneconnector.
 23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the docking stationincludes at least one launch orienting device configured to facilitatelaunch of the flying object.
 24. The apparatus of claim 18, whichincludes a measuring device configured to measure a three-dimensionalposition of the flying object relative to the apparatus.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 1, which includes a measuring device configured tomeasure an orientation of the flying object relative to the apparatus.